His Choice

⚜ SIXTEEN ⚜

Edited

---(Name this line?)---

⚜ Jake ⚜

It's the day before the opening ceremony - a grand ball hosted by the girls from The Choosing to officially introduce themselves to the social court, made up of strictly nobles, and us, The Royal Family.

I've just finished up on some papers after taking a break in the gardens again where I saw her, Allenica. Though her smile brought me a breath of fresh air, the sheer weight of my duties has tired me out. I haven't been sleeping well the past few nights. I'm plagued with thoughts of Allenica and how she'll react when she finally realises who I am. Guilt riddles me as I think of how I've concealed the truth after she's been so open with me.

Hopefully, she'll find it a pleasant surprise.

I sigh as I try to snap out of my thoughts. I need to be vigilant and avoid bumping into any of the girls prematurely... again. I need to find Miss Mint to give her The Choosing engagement ring so that the media can blast across the nation. I pat my pocket and find reassurance when I feel the ring being sheltered with my phone.

I purse my lips as I think of my other tasks. I also want to discuss the media's presence in the palace. They need to be gone by eight. I refuse to have this whole thing broadcasted so people don't form an opinion of the girls and feel even more entitled to tell me who I should and shouldn't pick.

I stop in my tracks when I hear singing. It's light and pleasant but has the rawness of an untrained voice - natural talent. It's amazing, I could stand here listening all day. The sound eases the tension in my tight muscles and my heart feels at home.

With no self-restraint, I go to gaze upon the owner of such a voice and I am pleasantly surprised to find Allenica. She's sat at the table drawing the back garden whilst singing to herself.

Damn, girl. Is there anything you can't do?

Her melody ends and fate is cruel enough to also blow my cover. My phone pings loudly and my heart climbs up my throat and into my mouth. Immediately, I pull the device out of my pockets to switch it to silent. I press myself into the wall as I begin to retract my steps.

"Hello?" she calls to the air, alerted by the sound.

Lady Luck sees to my safe retreat. But I don't want to push it by hanging around so I find an alternate route to my destination. With a minor detour, I soon find myself in front of Miss Mint's office. I knock and enter when I hear her call.

"Prince Jake," she greets me as I enter. "You have the ring?"

"Yes," I say as I reach into my pocket to pull it out. My heart spikes when I come up empty-handed. "Shit."

"What is it?" she questions with a worried look, ignoring my curse.

"I can't find it, it must've fallen out of my pocket." I run a hand through my hair. "I'll go and retrace my steps but if I can't find it, we'll have to wait it out until the cleaning staff do."

"Oh, Jake." She shakes her head as she sighs heavily. "Only you can lose an engagement ring that's been in the royal family for decades." She chuckles as she shuffles some papers around on her desk.

"I know, I know. I'm a mess." I laugh and she smiles at me. "Oh, one more thing. I want the media out by eight and I want it clear to them that only select events will be broadcast. I don't want the whole thing on air."

"It's a tradition for the entirety of The Choosing to be televised." She hesitates at my request.

"I know." I straighten up my posture to embrace my authority. "It's time for that to change."